In November the Football Association of Wales launched its first ever sustainability strategy, ‘Cymru, Well-being and the World’, outlining its vision for a ‘global, local Cymru’ using the power of football to improve the nation’s well-being.
As part of the strategy and in support of the ‘My Tree Our Forest’ initiative, the FAW asked The Red Wall to help kick things off by planting trees in memory of loved ones who had sadly passed and were unable to see Cymru at the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Broadleaf trees are known to suck carbon from the air, improve mental health and clean the air we breathe, in addition to being a haven for birds and wildlife. There are 55,000 trees available to be planted on behalf of Welsh households, with these native trees all contributing to the creation of a National Forest for Wales.
There’s still time to have a tree planted in your name or that of a loved one as part of the National Forest for Wales, standing in place for many World Cups to come. It takes about 60 seconds to do so here: woodlandtrust.org/FAW-mtof
Talking about the project, FA Wales CEO, Noel Mooney said: “We think this is a beautiful idea, planting a tree for a loved one who didn’t get to see us in our first World Cup in 64 years. It’s special and poignant and helps Cymru’s sustainability, not just today but for future generations. Those trees will help tackle the climate crisis and be around for many more World Cups to come. That’s a great legacy to leave.”
The FAW Sustainability Strategy has been developed with the support of the Future Generations of Wales Commissioner, using the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act as its cornerstone. In 2015, Wales became the first country in the world to enshrine a duty to protect future generations into law. This means that any policy decisions made today must consider the impact on the generations of tomorrow.
Share your story on social media using #MyTreeOurForest.